Senate Resolution No. 348

BY: Senator THOMAS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
recognize the cultural, religious, and interfaith
importance of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as "Living
Guru" of Sikhs in promoting peace and declaring
Sikhs as a distinct ethnic and religious minority,
in conjunction with the observance of Peace Day on
October 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay just tribute to the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups which
comprise and contribute to the richness and diversity of the community
of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize the cultural,
religious, and interfaith importance of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as
"Living Guru" of Sikhs in promoting peace and declaring Sikhs as a
distinct ethnic and religious minority, in conjunction with the
observance of Peace Day on Wednesday, October 20, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Founded by Guru Nanak in 15th Century Punjab, India, the
Sikh monotheistic tradition teaches its adherents to practice the
universal principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and
devotion to God; and

WHEREAS, The Sikh community began immigrating to the United States
in the late 1800s and has played an important role in developing this
country and the State of New York while enriching American culture,
history, economy, and diversity; and

WHEREAS, Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with
more than 25 million Sikhs worldwide, including more than 750,000 in the
United States; and

WHEREAS, The religion's emphasis on loving service to humanity also
inspires Sikhs living in New York to make lasting social contributions,
such as providing free food to the less fortunate through the annual
"Let's Share a Meal" event in New York County; and

WHEREAS, The 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, left the world
and indicated to the generations ahead to avoid idol worship and
recognize the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the principal scripture of
Sikhism, as the "Living and Eleventh Guru" of the Sikh religion; and

WHEREAS, In a historic judgment delivered on March 29, 2000, the
Supreme Court of India declared Guru Granth Sahib Ji as a "Juristic
Person," further justifying Guru Gobind Singh Ji's declaration of Shri
Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the "Living Guru"; and

WHEREAS, Although Sikhs have made immense contributions throughout
history, they have long faced oppression and discrimination throughout
the rest of the world; and


WHEREAS, According to the Sikh religion and history, Sikhs share a
unique set of beliefs and practices that are altogether different from
other religions; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations office of High Commissioner for Human
Rights has recognized Sikh Holy Scripture, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as
a scripture meant to promote the interfaith and inter-religious harmony,
peace and human rights; and

WHEREAS, Gurumukhi, the Sikh mother language, is endangered in most
parts of the world; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is committed to educating citizens
about the world's religions, the value of religious diversity, tolerance
grounded in First Amendment principles, a culture of mutual
understanding, and the importance of reducing violence, all of which are
consistent with Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's teachings; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York seeks to further the diversity of its
community and afford all residents the opportunity to better understand,
recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared experiences of
Sikhs and enforce laws for access to equal opportunity of humans
irrespective of their caste, creed, color, and appearance; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to recognize the cultural,
religious, and interfaith importance of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as
"Living Guru" of Sikhs in promoting peace and declaring Sikhs as a
distinct ethnic and religious minority, in conjunction with the
observance of Peace Day on October 20, 2021; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and Letitia James, Attorney General of the State of New York.